By Lisa Vorderbrueggen
Monday, January 20th, 2014 at 9:42 am in 2014 primary.

Under Secretary for International Security and Arms Control Ellen Tauscher. Photo by Karl Mondon/2011/Bay Area News Group

Former East Bay Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher will endorse today State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, to succeed the retiring Democratic Rep. George Miller in the 11th Congressional District.

Tauscher represented the neighboring District 10 for seven terms until the Obama administration appointed her in 2009 as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs.

DeSaulnier ran for Tauscher’s seat in 2009 and she support him. But the state senator subsequently lost to then-Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, who now represents District 3 after the state’s political boundaries were redrawn in 2011.

Miller is retiring at the end of the year after serving 40 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

CONCORD, CA— On the heels of his entrance into the race last week to fill Congressman George Miller’s soon to-be vacated 11th Congressional district seat, today State Senator Mark DeSaulnier picked up a highly coveted endorsement from former Congresswoman and former Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, the Honorable Ellen O. Tauscher.

Prior to the 2012 redistricting, Tauscher represented California’s old 10th Congressional district. Roughly 50% of the communities in Tauscher’s old district are now included in the new 11th Congressional district.

Mark DeSaulnier

“Mark DeSaulnier has always been a brave, forward-thinking, and passionate fighter for the people he represents,” said former Congresswoman Tauscher. “Mark is deeply connected to the communities in the 11th district, and I’m confident he’ll be a bold and progressive voice for them in Washington. Not only does he have enormous experience and the necessary qualifications for this office, but also Mark has a real vision for a better California that must be heard in the halls of Congress. I’m proud to endorse Mark for Congress.”

“It’s a tremendous honor to have the support of former Congresswoman Tauscher,” said Senator DeSaulnier. “Her early support means a lot to me, and it underscores the fact that my campaign is off to a running start.”

DeSaulnier added, “Washington is broken and residents are tired of the obstructionism. If elected, I’ll work hard, day and night, to advance pragmatic policies that reflect a pro-jobs, pro-middle class, and pro-California agenda.”

Currently, DeSaulnier represents California’s 7th State Senate district, which covers 70% of California’s 11th Congressional district. Previously DeSaulnier served Contra Costa County as a State Assemblyman, County Supervisor, and City Councilman.

Well, I guess that settles the matter. Unless a few skeletons turn up, Mark is it.

JohnW

Does throwing Contra Costa County under the fiscal bus by giving away the store on retiree benefits count as a skeleton? Guess not.

Elwood

Marky Mark never met a public employee union he didn’t like or one of their demands he wouldn’t meet.

Actually, sending the POS to DC where he’ll just be one of 435 doofuses and in the minority party with zero seniority may be a good thing.

JohnW

Politics should get a little less boring around here in 2016 and 2018. Boxer will be 76 when her term is up in 2016, could decide not to run if the GOP takes the Senate in 2014, and might be vulnerable even if she does run. In 2018, the governorship and probably DiFi’s Senate seat will be up for grabs. That could stir up lots of down ballot contests too.